PUNTA CANA
Area: Dominican Republic
Country: Dominican Republic


Location:
On the E tip of the island. Takes up a 20-mile stretch of the Atlantic E coast, from the area known as Bavaro round to the area called Punta Cana. Hotels are between 3 and 12 miles from Punta Cana airport.

Telephone code from UK:
1 809

Website:
http://www.punta-cana.com

Position:
Flat coastal countryside that includes a large lagoon, extensive mangrove thickets and the unremarkable tropical national Manati Park.

Description:
Not a proper resort town with a genuine focal point. Instead, it is a remote region, reached by tedious and often appalling country roads. It is divided into the two main areas of Bavaro (W) and Punta Cana (E). Its popularity _ evidenced by the ongoing development of secure self-contained complexes _ is by virtue of the almost unbroken stretch of white sandy beach and clear blue ocean protected by a long coral reef. Plaza Bavaro's handful of shops, services and minor eateries provides the only alternative to the all-inclusive facilities that dominate here.

Suitability:
Middle to upmarket holidaymakers who do not mind being "confined to barracks".

Accommodation:
Widely scattered and often isolated all-inclusive hotels, most with a comprehensive range of in-house activities and facilities.

Shopping:
Mainly restricted to hotel gift shops. Plaza Bavaro provides a minimarket and limited number of unsophisticated tourist-orientated outlets selling jewellery, local handicrafts and beachwear. The dreary provincial town of Higuey, with a wider selection, is 30 miles away.

Beach:
Many miles of fine white sand, often fringed with tall palm trees, protected by a coral reef that promotes safer bathing and water sports. Windsurfing, sailing and diving are particularly popular.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beaches, water sports and organised hotel activities. Swim with the dolphins or watch dancing horses at Manati Park. Nightlife: lively unsophisticated hotel discos, shows and bars. A couple of hotels have small casinos.

Eating:
Restricted almost exclusively to the hotels. All-inclusive packages have curtailed any significant independent enterprise. NB: don't drink the tap water (brush your teeth with bottled water). It's advisable to avoid salads or cold meats that are displayed without the benefit of chilling devices.

Public-transport:
Unreliable local minibuses are best avoided. Taxis can be ordered from all hotels.

Local-excursions:
None of any real interest.